Photos, Copyright, and Facebook

When I first started putting my photos on the web so people could buy them, I thought, hey they are going to love these and want the pictures. I try very hard to make sure the photos I take are good and keep striving to get better and better at it. I do lots of research, read a lot, and look at what other photographers are doing.

I know people really like the photos I'm taking, but no one is buying them. Well except for a few. I know people are finding them because they are all over facebook. For many of the Juniors if you look at their pages, you will find my watermark on their images. I know they have to tick a box on facebook to say they have the right permission to do this, I also know that they are lying, because they haven't asked my permission.

Initially, when I first started taking the photos I noticed that the juniors were using my images on facebook, I was pleased. I thought, well they have have found the website. I also thought, they seem to like them. I thought it was just a matter of time before orders started coming in. I was so wrong.

Another photographer advised me against letting them use the images on facebook and said they should pay. We have wondered about this, and, again, thought, some good will would help. I don't think it has. I just didn't want to be hard handed, and to come down on people for doing it.

So now I have to make a decision, do I stop letting them use the photos unless they pay for them first, one option. Another is to have give and take, they buy some images and in return they can have my permission to put other images on facebook. I can stop them putting images up and go to facebook and say they don't have my permission and are breaching my copyright, do something about it. Of course, the final option is to stop taking photos of the juniors at cycling, or only photograph those that I know pay for photos, and do what other photographers do, concentrate on the seniors, or move onto another sport.

I know my website is basic, but we are working on a new site, which will have a better gallery for viewing the photos and there will be a shopping cart that will make it easier to buy images. It all takes time. Still, it isn't too hard to order photos, just takes an email, and those that have bought some have found the experience not to difficult, I hope.

It will be a shame if I have to stop photographing the juniors, I do enjoy it and through it I've met lots of really nice people. I will wait about a month or so and then make my decision as to the direction I will go in.